In a significant setback for President Joe Biden's radical climate agenda, the U.S. House voted in favor of the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, effectively stripping the administration's authority to permit natural gas export projects.

This move deals a blow to Biden's efforts to curb the United States' energy sector and appease his radical climate base.

The bill, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, received a bipartisan vote of 224-200, with 215 Republicans and nine Democrats showing support. Pfluger argued that the legislation would reverse President Biden's recent actions to halt permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, a decision that contradicts Biden's own commitment to supplying Europe's LNG needs.

Pfluger pointed out the hypocrisy of Biden's stance, during an interview with Fox News, "Just last year, President Biden told the Europeans that they needed to get off Russian gas and that the U.S. would supply their liquefied natural gas needs. Now that it is an election year, he is reneging on that deal to appease his radical climate base. I am proud to stand up for American jobs when the president seems to only stand up for the interests of Russia and Iran."

Furthermore, Pfluger highlighted the environmental consequences of Biden's moratorium on LNG exports. Russian natural gas, which Biden's decision indirectly supports, is 40% dirtier than natural gas produced in the United States. By restricting LNG exports, Biden is making a "horrible decision for the environment."

If enacted, Pfluger's bill would amend the Natural Gas Act of 1938, granting the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for LNG export projects. The bill also requires FERC to consider the importation or exportation of natural gas as consistent with the public interest.

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Biden's recent order to pause pending permits for LNG export facilities and conduct an environmental review as part of the national interest analysis has drawn criticism from energy associations, Republicans, and former federal officials.

In December 2023, more than 87% of U.S. LNG exports went to Europe, the U.K., and Asian markets that were previously dependent on Russia.

Environmental activist groups and Democrats have voiced their opposition to the bill, claiming that stripping the Department of Energy (DOE) of its authority to permit LNG exports would worsen climate change and primarily benefit Chinese industry.